NLRC4 and systemic lupus erythematosus: Unlike NLRC4 inflammasomes, AIM2 does not contain CARD domains and thus needs to recruit ASC for activation.43 AIM2 not only senses bacteria and viruses derived cytosolic dsDNA, but also from damaged and mislocalized DNA molecules.5,6,29,44,45 Moreover, a minimum DNA length of 80 base pairs is required to activate AIM2.9 AIM2 is also involved in DNA vaccination,46 and may play a role in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) due to its ability to recognize host DNA.47 However, more direct evidence is required to establish the role of AIM2 in the pathogenesis of SLE.